I know what it is for me but I want to hear what it is for other people.

Maybe to help people along you can answer in the format:

I am a Buddhists because...

I am a Christian because ...

I am a Hindu because ...

I am an Atheist because ...

I am a Muslim because ...

I am a Taoist because ...

I am a Pagan because ...

I am a Sun worshiper because ...

Short and sweet... not more than 200 words per post and replies must be in a most courteous tone.

The underlying assumption must be that people can believe anything they want and nobody can call another one stupid for having those beliefs but for discussion sake, you can politely point out the inconsistencies and illogic understanding that they are inconsistent and illogical to you and not to the believer.

Also, don't try to change anyone's views and don't try to get people to say what you want to hear.

Let's see if anyone is interested.

I don’t call myself buddhist because I dont want to be swayed by labels. I am into buddhism for the psychology it is gonna teach me. I wanted to be a psychologist since I was young.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

I don't call myself buddhist because I dont want to be swayed by labels. I am into buddhism for the psychology it is gonna teach me. I wanted to be a psychologist since I was young.

Like that can you still call yourself a Buddhist even if you want to?

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

Like that can you still call yourself a Buddhist even if you want to?

Since they take buddhists as people who have taken refuge, yeah I can because I took the ceremony.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

Since they take buddhists as people who have taken refuge, yeah I can because I took the ceremony.

If you took the ceremony I guess you can call yourself a Buddhist, but would they have allowed you to take the ceremony if you had told them you are in it only for the "philosophy"? That you have no wish to participate in Buddhists ceremonies because you do not believe in the ceremonies?

Why only Buddhism then? Why don't you join a Hindu temple to learn about the philosophy that Hinduism teaches? Are you saying that Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and the rest do not teach "philosophy" of life or is it that you think Buddhism is superior in teaching "philosophy" of life? Or something else? What?

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

If you took the ceremony I guess you can call yourself a Buddhist, but would they have allowed you to take the ceremony if you had told them you are in it only for the "philosophy"? That you have no wish to participate in Buddhists ceremonies because you do not believe in the ceremonies?

Why only Buddhism then? Why don't you join a Hindu temple to learn about the philosophy that Hinduism teaches? Are you saying that Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and the rest do not teach "philosophy" of life or is it that you think Buddhism is superior in teaching "philosophy" of life? Or something else? What?

Even buddhists themselves will tell you not to be too attached to ceremonies.

I never told them anything. I just went to AEN's dharma center a few times and then there was a cell group that we can join only if we take refuge. Then the teacher didnt know what to do in the cell group session and so it was cancelled after the first session. Probably AEN gave the idea of wanting a cell group.

It isn't just philosophy that buddhism gives. It teaches you all about the mind. Since philosophy comes from the mind, and buddhists aim to master the mind and no mind, buddhism transcends philosophy. Meaning that buddhism is better than normal philosophy.

I haven't encountered someone well versed in hinduism yet.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

I never told them anything. I just went to AEN's dharma center a few times and then there was a cell group that we can join only if we take refuge. Then the teacher didnt know what to do in the cell group session and so it was cancelled after the first session. Probably AEN gave the idea of wanting a cell group.

If you are in it for the philosophy, don't you think you should study all the philosophy in the world and then decide? Did you join because you think that in order to understand the philosophy you must put it into practice? You cannot appreciate the whole philosophy unless you practice? What?

Physical "Cell" groups are very inconvenient. It is better to arrange a time for everyone to meet at a forum and discuss Dharma or Scriptures and then go out to meet once in a while for bonding.

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

If you are in it for the philosophy, don't you think you should study all the philosophy in the world and then decide? Did you join because you think that in order to understand the philosophy you must put it into practice? You cannot appreciate the whole philosophy unless you practice? What?

Physical "Cell" groups are very inconvenient. It is better to arrange a time for everyone to meet at a forum and discuss Dharma or Scriptures and then go out to meet once in a while for bonding.

I edited my post.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

Even buddhists themselves will tell you not to be too attached to ceremonies.

I never told them anything. I just went to AEN's dharma center a few times and then there was a cell group that we can join only if we take refuge. Then the teacher didnt know what to do in the cell group session and so it was cancelled after the first session. Probably AEN gave the idea of wanting a cell group.

It isn't just philosophy that buddhism gives. It teaches you all about the mind. Since philosophy comes from the mind, and buddhists aim to master the mind and are even able to do without it, buddhism transcends philosophy. Meaning that buddhism is better than normal philosophy.

I haven't encountered someone well versed in hinduism yet.

But they still do the ceremonies right? What is don't be attached to the ceremonies? Does that mean the ceremonies are useless and meaningless so you do not attach to the ceremonies? Does it mean that the ceremonies are useful and meaningful but not for you so don't be attached? Does it mean that the ceremonies are useful and meaningful to do but don't be attached?

I can also say don't be attached to the idea and the concept of "don't be attached" right? If I say don't be attached but also don't be attached to "don't be attached" what does that lead us?

If I say, don't be attached to "don't be attached" does that mean I must be fully attached while I am fully unattached? How do you do that? To be fully attached and yet be totally unattached?

So you are into Buddhism because you believe that Buddhism will be able to transform your mind?

If you can find a good Hinduism teacher you will dump Buddhism or you will keep Buddhism and embrace Hinduism at the same time?

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

But they still do the ceremonies right? What is don't be attached to the ceremonies? Does that mean the ceremonies are useless and meaningless so you do not attach to the ceremonies? Does it mean that the ceremonies are useful and meaningful but not for you so don't be attached? Does it mean that the ceremonies are useful and meaningful to do but don't be attached?

I can also say don't be attached to the idea and the concept of "don't be attached" right? If I say don't be attached but also don't be attached to "don't be attached" what does that lead us?

If I say, don't be attached to "don't be attached" does that mean I must be fully attached while I am fully unattached? How do you do that? To be fully attached and yet be totally unattached?

So you are into Buddhism because you believe that Buddhism will be able to transform your mind?

If you can find a good Hinduism teacher you will dump Buddhism or you will keep Buddhism and embrace Hinduism at the same time?

Not being attached means it doesn't matter if you can't do it. Being buddhist or not is not important.

At first I was into buddhism because I had nothing to do. No pc games, no life no nothing. Just IRC, neopets and forums. So buddhism was like a hobby or something. It was also nice to know more about the buddhism that looked so damn great on TV. Now that I've seen what luminosity is for myself I'm convinced.

I won't see hinduism and buddhism as 2 exclusive things. I will take whatever I find useful from both.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

Not being attached means it doesn't matter if you can't do it. Being buddhist or not is not important.

At first I was into buddhism because I had nothing to do. No pc games, no life no nothing. Just IRC, neopets and forums. So buddhism was like a hobby or something. It was also nice to know more about the buddhism that looked so damn great on TV. Now that I've seen what luminosity is for myself I'm convinced.

I won't see hinduism and buddhism as 2 exclusive things. I will take whatever I find useful from both.

Buddhists think that Buddhism is "THE WAY"

They do not think that Buddhism is one of the ways.
If you do not think that Buddhism is THE WAY and not just one of the ways, can you still call yourself a Buddhists? Are you only a sympathizer and not a member?

If you "won't see Hinduism and Buddhism as 2 exclusive things" but Hindus and Buddhists see themselves as exclusive, can you call yourself a Hindu or a Buddhist? What do you call yourself then?.

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

Buddhists think that Buddhism is "THE WAY"

They do not think that Buddhism is one of the ways.
If you do not think that Buddhism is THE WAY and not just one of the ways, can you still call yourself a Buddhists? Are you only a sympathizer and not a member?

If you "won't see Hinduism and Buddhism as 2 exclusive things" but Hindus and Buddhists see themselves as exclusive, can you call yourself a Hindu or a Buddhist? What do you call yourself then?.

Even buddha himself said that his is not the only way.

Anyone worth their salt will not see themselves as exclusive. You mixed with the wrong people.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

Even buddha himself said that his is not the only way.

Anyone worth their salt will not see themselves as exclusive. You mixed with the wrong people.

In your opinion, what then are the other "ways" beside Buddhism?

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

Even buddha himself said that his is not the only way.

Anyone worth their salt will not see themselves as exclusive. You mixed with the wrong people.

Only Buddhism accurately describes reality and use the appropriate practises to attain enlightenment. i.e other religions only have Shamatha practises, no Insight practises. Furthermore other religions and philosophies fall into extremes like eternalism or nihilism. The Buddha refuted or shunned all the 60+ philosophies and religions at his time with the middle way, emptiness, dharma seals, and all the Buddhadharma.

Only Buddhism teaches the middle way/Emptiness free from erroneous dualistic concepts, Interdependent Origination, 3 Dharma Seals or 3 Characteristics of Existence or the 4 Seals. These teachings sets Buddhism completely apart from other religions -- Buddhism is 'THE WAY' to enlightenment and liberation.

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

I am a Buddhists because...

Actually didn't want to reply but since I'm already here I'll just give a short summary.

Buddhism leads to liberation from all sufferings, attain the highest bliss of nirvana and is completely practical in everyday life.

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

In your opinion, what then are the other "ways" beside Buddhism?

Anything else that works and makes people wiser.

Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

Only Buddhism accurately describes reality and use the appropriate practises to attain enlightenment. i.e other religions only have Shamatha practises, no Insight practises. Furthermore other religions and philosophies fall into extremes like eternalism or nihilism. The Buddha refuted or shunned all the 60+ philosophies and religions at his time with the middle way, emptiness, dharma seals, and all the Buddhadharma.

Only Buddhism teaches the middle way/Emptiness free from erroneous dualistic concepts, Interdependent Origination, 3 Dharma Seals or 3 Characteristics of Existence or the 4 Seals. These teachings sets Buddhism completely apart from other religions -- Buddhism is 'THE WAY' to enlightenment and liberation.

Buddha also said that Mahavira was enlightened.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman:

Buddha also said that Mahavira was enlightened.

I think I am mistaken. I cannot find sources that states the Buddha ever said that Mahavira is enlightened. Well, 'mahavira' literally means “fully enlightened teacher.” and the Buddha may have just called him by his usual name.

The Buddha is known to have refuted a lot of Mahavira's teachings on eternalism and karma and etc.

From the Buddhist perspective, Jainism commits the following heresies;

1) Belief in a permanent ‘soul’ (jiva) – as opposed to the clear Buddhist doctrine of ‘anatma’ (no permanent ‘soul’).

2) The ‘soul’ is considered ‘eternal’ – ‘eternalism’ being against the Buddhist teaching of the Middle Way.

3) A definition of karma that is purely ‘materialistic’ in nature. Buddhist karma is purely ‘volitional’ or ‘psychological’ in essence.

4) For complete Jainist enlightenment, the physical body must die. This is ‘nihilistic’ in nature and opposed to the Buddha’s teaching of the ‘Middle Way’.

5) The Jainist practice of severe austerity is again, against the Buddha’s teaching of the Middle Way.

In short, there is nothing remotely similar between the jainist teachings, and the teaching of the Buddha. Jainism may be considered a more severe version of othodox Hindu teaching. Whereas the Buddha’s teachings are/were revolutionary in nature. No one in His lifetime, taught the Dharma that he did. Mahavira – the ‘Jina’ of Jainism, certainly did not. The Buddha’s enlightenment was not a mere ‘intellection’ of the surveying of the contemporary philosophical environment He found himself within. The Dharma is not an ‘idea’, designed to be ‘different’ from the other ‘ideas’ around at the time. The ego that leads to the need for philosophical ‘distinction’, is the same ego that the Buddha over-came through meditation, the essence of Zen practice.

Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:

I know what it is for me but I want to hear what it is for other people.

What is it for you?

I am an Alien because … I think therefore I am.

u juz wan ppl to declare their faith and den u lure them into another endless religious debate right?

Originally posted by Ito_^:

u juz wan ppl to declare their faith and den u lure them into another endless religious debate right?

You are a "bad nut" for making it sound like I am doing a bad thing What is a forum for if not for "endless debates" ???

Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

What is it for you?

If you can write so well with such clarity of thought because of Buddhism, you are a credit to Buddhism.

Actually what you have written or said is what Buddhism, you believe or is commonly considered as, is.

But for you personally, how did you end up studying Buddhism?

I am a freethinker because I am a freethinker.

Originally posted by DeadPoet:

I am an Alien because … I think therefore I am.

Please don't anyhow anyhow... are you sure that "I think therefore I am" can be interpreted this way?